≈≈ In Today’s World, What is the Role of Religion? ≈≈

- Dangerous topic? Let’s see. -

If you look at the percentage of wars throughout history fought primarily over religion, the number is surprisingly low, about 7%. That’s not to say religion hasn’t been used as a pretense, or that it isn’t deeply intertwined with ethnic identity, nationalism, or power. Who’s right, who’s wrong, whose G-d is the real one, if there is one at all. Religion is woven into our culture, politics, family, and identity, so it’s impossible to fully separate it from how we interact with one another. But, in the final analysis, religion is statistically far from the predominant driver of conflict.

Up front: I’m a devout atheist. That puts me in a mixed marriage, as my wife is solidly Jewish. And yes, as they say, some of my best friends are of different faiths (although some may deny the “best” part, some even the friend’s part). They pray differently, believe differently, and even pray to different G‑ds. When we’re together we have conversations about a myriad of things, honest ones, and what I’ve found is that our basic values are remarkably similar, even when those values lead us to different conclusions.

Full disclosure: by birth and tradition, I’m Jewish. I went to Sunday school (held on Saturdays. I don’t know why, but it was a Reform temple in Brooklyn, so there’s that). And yes, for those wondering, and those who don’t care, I was Bar Mitzvah’d. so it’s not like I’m a total rookie. 

PROOF

All of that said, there was one story we studied that stuck with me, sometimes for better, sometimes not). I think it deserves a look, because it feels relevant to where we are today as a country. No, it’s not political. And no, I’m not an expert.

Here’s the story. It dates back to the first century BCE, so it’s had some staying power. A non‑Jew asked Hillel, a great Jewish sage, to teach him the entire Torah while standing on one foot. Hillel replied:

“That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Now go and learn it.”

The Torah—the first five books of the Bible—is shared by Judaism and Christianity, so both embrace what later became known as the GoldenRule. Islam and Hinduism embrace it as well. Buddhism extends it even further, from simply refraining from harm to actively wishing others well. These traditions represent the five largest religious groups in the Country.

Atheists and “None's”, (together actually the second largest group), believe in the Golden Rule as well. Their morality isn’t rooted in divine command but in human reason, empathy, and lived experience. Treat people the way you’d want to be treated. Reduce suffering. Increase well-being. Same destination, different map.

So where am I going with this?

If we all share the same fundamental belief, why are we fighting each other so fiercely over the same Rule? How is it possible to be in such conflict with people who believe in essentially the same things.

If the goal is compassion, justice, dignity, and care for one another, how can we be at war, literally or ideologically, over how to get there? It defies logic. And I’m not naïve; I’m far too old for that. But as an attorney friend once said, “If it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t make sense.”

Helping, not demonizing, people is what we all fundamentally believe. That we recognize a shared humanity shouldn’t be controversial. Whether that motivation comes from G-d, scripture, tradition, or simple human decency, the goals are all supposed to work toward the same fundamental outcome. A better, more compassionate world. “Do unto others”.

So it occurred to me that if we agree on the core principles, why are our interpretations of how to apply them so wildly different? If we all believe in “do unto others,” shouldn’t our starting point be how we would want to be treated?

Or maybe AI is wrong and all my facts are bogus.

Personally, I think we need to start looking inward and stop outsourcing our thinking to paid pundits. We should go back to basics and focus on doing what’s right. Shared problems won’t be solved without shared values.

Okay—so maybe I still have a little naïveté left in me.

Thanks for reading.

Please let me know what you think at thoughts@amtify.com